KS4 - Philosophy & Ethics
Philosophy and Ethics GCSE
The Philosophy and Ethics course is an option that takes the place of core Religious Studies in Key Stage 4.
This OCR GCSE specification in Religious Studies with its emphasis on Philosophy and Ethics provides an opportunity for candidates to build upon the foundation laid by following a Locally Agreed Syllabus in Religious Education (where applicable) and to continue their study of religious education from the earlier Key Stages, although it does not require or assume any prior knowledge in the area of Religious Education.
Content
Students study 8 modules 6 of which are assessed in the final exams and two of which are assessed through coursework assignments. In each students learn about the responses to ethical or philosophical question from the point of view of Christianity and one other religion.
Modules
THE NATURE OF GOD
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with the fundamental question of belief in a Divine Being including;
• The ways in which symbols are used by religions to describe God and aid worship.
• The nature of God
• Reasons people give for belief in God
• The authority of sacred texts for believers
• Ways in which, according to believers, God can be known –revelation through scripture and through God’s intervention in the world
RELIGION AND SCIENCE (Course work topic)
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with religious views about the origins of the world and of humanity, and the extent to which these views can be compatible with scientific theories. It also addresses religious understandings of the relationship between humanity and the rest of the planet including;
• Religious ideas about the origins of the world and of humanity
• Scientific ideas about the origins of the world and of humanity
• Religious ideas about the purpose of humanity
• The relationship between people and the rest of the planet – environmental issues
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with religious concepts of life after death including;
• Understandings of the distinction between ‘body’ and ‘soul’
• Understandings about the afterlife
• The concept of reward and punishment
• The ways in which funeral rites reflect belief about life after death
GOOD AND EVIL
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with the ways in which religions understand the nature and origins
of good and evil, and the ways in which religious believers cope with problems of suffering including;
• An understanding of ideas about supernatural forces of good and evil
• Religious approaches to the question of why there is evil and suffering in the world
• Understandings of ways of coping with suffering
• Religious approaches to the purpose of moral behaviour
RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with religious responses to ethical questions raised by human
Relationships including;
• Understandings of the roles of men and women within a family
• Issues related to marriage and divorce
• Marriage ceremonies and the ways in which they reflect belief and provide guidance
• Issues related to sexual relationships and to contraception
RELIGION AND MEDICAL ETHICS
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with religious responses to ethical questions raised by medical
Issues including;
• Attitudes towards abortion and fertility treatment
• Attitudes towards euthanasia and suicide
• Issues of the use of animals in medical research
RELIGION AND EQUALITY
Issues to be addressed
This Topic is concerned with religious responses to moral issues related to equality including;
• Different views and teachings about prejudice and equality in relation to race and gender
• Attitudes towards other religions
• Forgiveness and reconciliation
JUSTICE (Coursework topic)
Issues to be addressed
This topic is concerned with religious responses to moral issues relating to justice including
• War and Peace
• Crime and punishment
Learning and Teaching Methods
A variety of strategies will be used, including class teaching, discussion, group work, role-play and individual study. Outside speakers will also be invited to speak to students.
Homework
This will be set after each lesson (there may be 2-3 occasions per term when none is set).
A variety of tasks are set. They could include surveys, worksheets, personal written response and revision.
Ways in which Parents can help
Encourage and support students by encouraging them to think about issues related to RE that occur in the news.
Encourage students to access additional resources through the Internet on sites as http://re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk or on the BBC Bytesize website.
Suggested Materials
Any newspaper/magazine articles students read which relate to any of the topics studied could be brought to School to keep in their folders.
Number of Lessons and their Length
One lesson per week for 1 hour.
Assessment
Informal and formal assessment will aim to test a student’s ability to:
• Recall, select and organise knowledge of the syllabus content
• Describe, analyse and explain the relevance of different religions
• Evaluate different responses to religious and moral issues.
Types of Assessment include:
• Checking and marking assignments
• End of module mock examination questions
• Oral questioning
The full range of G – A* grades will be awarded.
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